US soldier killed in Baghdad, large explosion in al-Falouja, Ode's intention to surrender
Iraq, Politics, 5/27/2003

The US central leadership announced that one American soldier was killed and another injured in an explosion inside a store filled with ammunition to the south of Baghdad.

A statement by the leadership said that the explosion took place in al-Dewaneyah, 120 Km to the south of Baghdad while the two soldiers were in a guarding mission. The statement said an investigation started for the reason behind the explosion but is not expected to be a result of a hostile act.

Meantime, witnesses said that a large explosion shook the city of al- Falouja to the west of Baghdad. The explosion whose reasons were not known took place near the industrial area in al-Falouja on the road to Baghdad.

Intensive American on-foot patrol roam al-Falouja streets where night curfew was imposed since three days. Tension prevails on al-Falouja since the confrontation during which the American forces killed 16 demonstrators by the end of April.

On the other hand, Time Magazine said that Ode Saddam Hussein, the elder son of the former Iraqi President intends to surrender himself to the American forces. The magazine which was issued yesterday said that Ode tried to contact the American authorities in Baghdad through a mediator for negotiations for his surrender and whether he can get some immunity.

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal said that Ode is hiding in one of Baghdad's quarters and wants before surrendering himself to know the accusations that will be addressed to him and conditions of his arrest and interrogations.

The paper explained, quoting a well-informed source that Ode fears to be killed by the Iraqis if they find him and sees that an American prison will secure his safety, but he always changes his mind.

Ode Saddam Hussein- who presides over "Saddam Fedayeen" forces and the Iraqi Olympic committee- occupied the third position on the American list for the wanted Iraqis after his father and elder brother Qusai who presided over the special Republican Guards forces and the security systems.

On the other hand, an American General had approved a provisional municipal council to run the city of the oil rich Karkouk on Sunday.

However, a delegation representing the Arabs and al-Turkman threatened to boycott the process of electing the chairman of the city's municipality. The first meeting for the council which is composed of 30 members was postponed after the taking oath ceremony without an agreement after the Arabs and the Turkman asked for more time. The Arabs and the Turkmans were angry because they did not get any seat in the 6- seat for independents mostly given to the Kurds.

In southern Iraq, Col. Adrian Bradshaw, the official in charge of coordination and follow up in the British forces in al-Basra criticized the performance of the administrative council in the city. In statements, he said that it is time to change the form of the government to transfer into the phase of elections.

Meantime, the British forces decided to desolve the administrative council in the city of al-Basra which was established on April 11, just four days after these forces entered the city.

The elections will be held on Thursday to choose a new administrative council, predominated by technocrats and headed by an Iraqi army officer. Numerous objections were made against this council under the pretext there are Baathists among its members.

On the other hand, the US administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, expressed his satisfaction over what he called the resumption of economic activities in the country. This was expressed during his first visit to Um al-Qasr city to the south of Iraq, which on Friday was transferred to American administration authority.

Bremer inspected Um Qaser port where maintenance works are made to open navigation for ships. Costs of maintenance of the port which was damaged because of the years of the sanctions and the war is estimated at USD 15 million. The US Agency for International development supervises the work of the two US companies contracting sides for renovating the port.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Ahram: Nasrullah: Saddam's regime lost opportunities for the Arab nation by its wars   (5/26/2003)
  Bremer disarms Chalabi's forces   (5/26/2003)
  Le Jounral De Dimanche: Saddam Hussein was betrayed by his cousin, assistant of the republican guards commander   (5/26/2003)

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